Traders lament as Anambra demolishes structures in Onitsha market

Traders and property owners in Onitsha Main Market, Anambra State, are experiencing devastating losses following the government's demolition of unauthorized structures in and around the market. The intense exercise, which began over the weekend, resulted in the destruction of over 1,000 shops and structures. The authorities stated that the affected buildings included unauthorized roadside shops, illegal extensions, and structures obstructing access routes and masterplan layouts.

The demolition team, led by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Chijioke Ojukwu, had issued multiple removal notices, but traders claim the one-month notice issued did not allow them to evacuate their goods and items. Many affected traders, including market leaders, expressed shock and disbelief at the sudden destruction of their businesses, built over 30 years, which they had constructed with their hard-earned money.

They stated that only those engaged in trading could comprehend the devastating impact this had on their livelihoods. The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ojukwu, defended the demolition, claiming it targeted illegal structures and was part of the state government's urban renewal efforts aimed at improving traffic flow and restoring order.

However, the President General of the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association, Chief Humphrey Anuna, supported the government's actions, urging traders to cooperate with the directives. The market, which began in 1506 as a small periodic trading site, has evolved into a significant economic hub.